Why so low player count in Cantr?

[Joshuamonkey]

I'm used to roleplaying without descriptions. I know I should look at descriptions more, but really I automatically make up how people look, or I don't even think about it. Any description still requires imagination on our part, just like with novels.

There once was a time when having a character description wasn't an option, though of course it's better to have them.

[Chroma Key]

Well lets all learn from it and move on. I did, as I'm sure others have. We don't need to dwell on problems, we just need answers?

It's fine to have an opinion and preference, but it shouldn't be imposed on others in game... Everyone has to respect that there was once a time when descriptions didn't exist... So some may think they're being helpful, but it may not come across that way to the other player. Just assume they are average looking/nothing special unless they build it into their writing?

I wish I could share your optimism and faith, but my experience is totally different.

Although, I don't quite understand this perception of RP being based on physical features. I have chars in two of the busiest towns and the amazing RP that took place in especially one of them had very little if anything to do with how the chars looked. Appearance makes not a personality that is enjoyable to rp with.

[Otherside]

I wish I could share your optimism and faith, but my experience is totally different.

Although, I don't quite understand this perception of RP being based on physical features. I have chars in two of the busiest towns and the amazing RP that took place in especially one of them had very little if anything to do with how the chars looked. Appearance makes not a personality that is enjoyable to rp with.

I guess the description does serve to make introductions/small-talk/conversation between characters easier, as well as some other interactions. But it does nothing to hold a character back in any way... I agree.

[Genie]

In a way it is funny to observe this argument, because reminds me that once people were complaining about good looking chars .

[*Wiro]

In a way it is funny to observe this argument, because reminds me that once people were complaining about good looking chars .

Almost makes you think people complain about anything. Good thing we know better.

[Alladinsane]

Chicken-little might be proud of this thread.

Discussion is good, even if its over a problem that we just are not even sure exists yet.
Looking back over threads from years ago, this is not the first 'cantr is doomed' thread.
Eventually that will be right... the end is closer than it has ever been.

Each one of us is as responsible as the people whom we point fingers at.
The system is working and its the same as it has always been. Though programming is doing amazing things.
The only thing that has changed is the player base from what I can see.

I post descriptions, but they are usually quite generic. The picture formed in other players minds is from the play.

So indeed; The sky is falling.
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On a personal/staff note... if anyone does have some specific allegations and/or complaints about staff.
Pop off a PM to one of us... I enjoy dealing with it (Unless -I- am the problem, then tell somebody why I suck)

But public complaints about staff or other players will not be allowed on this forum and we are real close to being there on this thread. We -will- shut it down, so I will be the problem if we start attacking each other.
How does anyone think that they are helping by going on the offensive?
====================
Lets continue to talk about ways the game might improve, but lets please be civil to staff and each other?

[ManyVoices]

The smaller player base isn't necessarily a result of a bad game. Think about the reason so many quit ... lots of times it's problem with being too addicted to the game (time management issues), but I wouldn't know anything about that. Sometimes life gets too busy, the demands of RL push out gaming time.

People aren't just quitting because the games sucks. I've never been a part of a game where so many quit because it's soo good! I can think of many players who love the game but have had to walk away or cut back.

If there's a downside to this game, I think it may be that really good characters have a lot of time invested in them, and that's the problem. There's not always enough time to invest in the game, and I'd rather not play then have a character that wakes up for 10 minutes a day ... but that's just me.

Anyway, my point here is that the game is great, are their leader issues ... sure sometimes ... is there OOC stuff ... sometimes, but all this can be overcome by someone who wants to RP. You can RP that you have a crappy town leader (I've done it), but I never let someones inactivity get in the way of my RP. I would often drive my own stories unless I was RPing with another strong character and it was fitting for them to take the lead.

Enjoy the game, RP through the struggles, and remember it's a great game, people aren't always leaving because there's something wrong with it, they just have to deal with RL!

[Otherside]

I don't know Chicken Little, so wouldn't get the reference.

I'm guessing the activity in this world comes in waves, players and characters band together, empires rise and fall. My initial post was just explaining some of the loose rocks that added to the recent landslide. Do with it what you will. I'd rather focus on the solution too, though many of my positive points were ignored in favour of a good old grumble. No more finger pointing from me, I'll just waggle it generally in your direction and mine, and move on. Devil may care.

If you want some help or suggestions to improve the UI let me know.

For now, some good places to advertise:

http://www.rpnation.com/
http://www.roleplaygateway.com/
https://elliquiy.com/forums/
http://bluemoonroleplaying.com/forums/

[BosBaBe]

@ miedein: Some players on the forum expressed their "hate" of the lack of description and stated that they don't rp with characters who don't have a description. I believe that's what kaloryfer is referring to, and it doesn't sound like s/he missed the point at all, as it is an ooc reason to isolate chars.
Reminder of what was said :

Probably been said, probably by myself but:

I really really -really- hate a lack of character description.

It's like, oh hi blank character, let me just imagine what you could look like, oh wait did you just flick your hair...Hmm, I don't recall seeing any!!! (arghhhh)

I hate this too, is it so hard to make even a short description? I don't usually rp with characters who don't have a description, if I do start to, I'll ask them to make one, since it's no fun rping with a blank wall.

This behaviour isn't limited to these examples, either.

*sigh* Must we keep going back to this? People are allowed a preference, and I may have over exaggerated. I don't tend to rp with those that don't have a description because in most encounters I've had with them, they don't rp at all, it's just sleeping or working quietly, maybe saying something every once in a while, to which I'll respond, but at that point it's died anyways because they heard what they wanted to. And those that I HAVE asked about their descriptions, I've just asked them what the character looks like so I have an idea of what to put into actions. It might not be difficult for others, but for me it's annoying when you have to sit and wonder what the person looks like that you're trying to rp with. You can't read minds, and not everyone puts descriptions in their emotes. If they put the description in their emotes or actions, then that's great, but if they give you a one line response then that's all you have to go by. It's not much at all.

If I see a character that is truly in depth and they don't have a description, and there is actual effort in the rp itself, then I'm not going to complain. But the one line responses, with no indication of any personality or appearance, is tiring to see in my opinion. That, and I don't have the time to respond to everything, I don't even have the time to respond to those actually addressing my characters.

So, for the first and last time, can we drop it? I wasn't having a dig at anyone, so please don't take it personally. Yes, I should have worded it differently, and I'm going back to it now to edit what I wrote. But from this point on, I don't think I'm posting anything on the forums, not as much as I used to anyways. I'm sorry to those I unintentionally offended.

[SekoETC]

I have met good roleplayers who don't have a description for their character. In those cases I generally ask the person OOC if they could write up a description, but I don't force them to do it or dis them if they choose not to do it. No description doesn't necessarily equal no rp.

[BosBaBe]

I have met good roleplayers who don't have a description for their character. In those cases I generally ask the person OOC if they could write up a description, but I don't force them to do it or dis them if they choose not to do it. No description doesn't necessarily equal no rp.

This, I wouldn't even ask them to write a description, I'd ask them what the character looked like, and said they could use the description box if they wanted to. This only happened <b>once</b>. Turns out they put the description in the wrong box or something. No harm done. But the times I wouldn't rp with the ones who don't have descriptions is because they wouldn't post anything besides for statements or questions, which I'd respond to along with everyone else, but it would end at that because that's all they wanted to hear. Back to sleep working, basically.

[bnlphan]

I have a couple that I didnt make a description for at spawning. Now they are in their forties and every time I go to do it I start to wonder..if people are going to be upset because they view them differently than I do so they stay blank.

[Joshuamonkey]

Cantr Player Stats:
August to September:
New accounts created on the real game: 205
Accounts still active when report was created: 151
Those still active from the previous month: 37

New accounts on the intro server: 45
Accounts still active: 19

September to October:
New accounts on the real game: 193
Accounts still active: 147
Still active from last month: 25
1 unsubscription (usually people just stop playing and idle out)
New players that ever logged in on the real game: About 35%

New account on the intro server: 117
Still active: 6 (some move on to the real game)
New players that logged in on the intro server: About 95%

[Miedein]

I've got it. Lets have a major cataclysmic event where Treefeather and Cantr island explode and sink into the ocean and everyone lives on Fu. Get people closer together so we're not all scattered out and people will not be thinking the game is dying out.

[Cdls]

With how large FU is, I am not sure even that would even work! :evil: